Mass Shooting in Myrtle Beach Tourist Hotspot Leaves 1 Dead, 11 Wounded

One person is dead and 11 others wounded after a gunman opened fire in the middle of a popular tourist spot in Myrtle Beach on Saturday night, according to law enforcement officials.

The Myrtle Beach Police Department shared that the shooting happened just before midnight on Saturday, in the heart of the city’s famed entertainment district, when officers noticed a “disturbance involving multiple individuals.”

During the altercation, officers reported that a person opened fire.

“At that time, based on the immediate threat, one of our officers responded by discharging their firearm,” officials shared in an update on their department’s Facebook page.

Police said 11 individuals were injured and are receiving medical treatment. The individual shot during the officer’s response has died from his injuries.

Horry County Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard confirmed the identity of the person shot to News13 as 18-year-old Jerrius Davis of Bennettsville.

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Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune told News13 that the swift action taken by the officer prevented further tragedy.

“Our officer saw what happened, and when he saw that an altercation was taking place and a gun was being shot, the officer responded very quickly and, in my opinion, saved lives,” Bethune told the outlet. {snip}

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[Editor’s Note: Police have identified Jerrius Davis as the initial shooter. His mother believes “My baby would have never, ever pulled his gun out. . . . And I know this one thousand percent sure.”]